Rio Ferdinand admits Manchester United duo Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka face a ‘big fight’ to get back into Ralf Rangnick’s plans, as he questions whether full-backs possess the ‘output with the ball’ desired by the interim head coach
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka started on the bench for Ralf Rangnick’s first game in charge
- The Manchester United interim boss opted for Diogo Dalot to start on Sunday
- Rio Ferdinand believes both Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw face an uphill battle
- Dalot and Alex Telles have both impressed since being given a chance to shine
Rio Ferdinand believes both Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw will have a difficult job on their hands trying to force their way into Ralf Rangnick’s Manchester United plans.
Rangnick took charge of his first game on Sunday, as United beat Crystal Palace 1-0 at Old Trafford.
The German opted to field Alex Telles and Diogo Dalot in the full-back positions, with Wan-Bissaka consigned to the bench and Shaw still missing from the squad following the head injury he picked up against Watford.
Rio Ferdinand has admitted he is worried for Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s Man United prospects
Rangnick has been forthright about the style of football he wants to encourage at United, and Ferdinand does not believe either are particularly adept with the ball at feet – a key trait the 63-year-old tends to look for in his defenders.
‘I’ve got to be honest, Wan-Bissaka has got a hell of a job getting back in this team. The same for Luke Shaw,’ Ferdinand said on his FIVE YouTube channel.
‘They’ve both got one hell of a job. One thing this manager likes is full-backs who can actually play and get on the ball.
‘As well as doing the other stuff like pressing, he wants output with the ball. That’s the weakest part of Wan-Bissaka’s game, there’s going to be a big fight for him to get back into this team.’
Diogo Dalot was given the nod ahead of Wan-Bissaka, and his re-emergence in the United side has come of something of a surprise.
The former centre back also voiced his concern over the immediate future of Luke Shaw
Rio Ferdinand was speaking about United’s defensive situation on his Vibe with FIVE podcast
Left out in the cold by former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Portuguese star actually spent last season on loan at Milan.
However, Michael Carrick started him against Arsenal and he kept his spot for Rangnick’s first game in charge.
And speaking to the club’s own website after the game, Dalot insisted he is determined to build on his opportunity.
‘It’s what I’m here for,’ he told the club’s website. ‘It’s not easy when you’re outside [the starting XI] and you don’t play as much.
‘But our job to keep ready and I think I was doing a fantastic job outside the pitch being ready.
‘When the opportunity comes, I now feel I need to keep going and give everything when I’m on the pitch too.’
Diogo Dalot (left) has insisted he is ready to take his opportunity at United with both hands
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